Lindenwood University has signed an agreement with the St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy opening the door for criminal justice students to attend the academy as part of their coursework.

The program, which begins in January, will be open to about 30 students in the final semester of their senior year. Those who go to the academy will earn 15 credit hours there instead of taking courses at the campus in St. Charles. Students get college credit, and instant job training in a field that is desperate for recruits.

Academy graduates are certified to work as police officers in Missouri. Academy director Ken Gregory said 85 to 90 percent of graduates are hired as officers immediately after graduating.

For more information on the program, call criminal justice professor Joe Steenbergen at 636-949-4729.